Restaurant Review: Saffron Mantra, Secunderabad

While the entire city is moving towards the west to cash in on the IT crowd in that area, Secunderabad, which once used to buzz with all the latest food chains is no longer the “go to” place. Breaking the barrier comes “Saffron Mantra” which was a much needed reprise to the food scene of secunderabad and thanks to the idea of the people behind Oh So Stoned (Rohan & Meghna).

As you walk in, you are sure to be spell bound by the minimalistic designs of Indian and Mediterranean charm that Saffron Mantra brings, be the bright colors like an indian darbar or the laid back gist of the Mediterranean world, Truly a mystical Mantra to the shades of Saffron color! Started off with Kairi Paneer Tikka, the innovative brilliance of adding the Mango Pulp as a sliced version in between panner was outstanding and so was the fired up version of chatpata paneer tika.

The poha hara bhara kebab was a different take to the hara bara kebab with the poha adding on to the crispiness to devour it in a go. The Dragon mushroom with a sweet & spicy sauce was a decent take. The saffron Murgh tikka was decent enough with garlic mayo as accompaniment. Fish Raechad found a special place for me on the menu, being a goan you hardly get to savor goan delicacies. Fish Raechad had all the exact flavors of sweet, tangy & spicy and was super good ! I was excited on hearing the Shirmp Wasabi on the menu, though this was decent, would’ve loved to have a little more wasabi flavor.

From the mains, the butter chicken was definitely one of the best I’ve had in recent times, the creaminess and the texture was brilliant. The laal maas cooked in whole spices was supremely good, while royyala iguru was no match to the authentic versions I’ve had before, it was way too diluted while Dal Makhani was creamy and done to perfection.

For a Hyderabadi, no meal is incomplete without a biryani and to give a unique experience, Saffron mantra comes up with Chicken 65 Biryani which was unique but needed a little more of flavor.

Of the Desserts, Saffron mantra cannot go wrong in this department as that’s their forte (read Oh So Stoned) and true to my expectations, the Caramel Sauce + CheeseCake was by far one the best baked versions of cheese cake I’ve had and so was the Brownie …only one word can describe it “Indulgence” ! All in all, Saffron Mantra for sure will surprise you with its innovative dishes and comes as breather for the folks of secunderabad.

Thumbs up for this one !

Photos and Review by Vishal Fernandes